Samba New York! is a leading center for Brazilian samba culture in NYC, offering shows, classes in drumming and dance, and guided music trips to Brazil. The Estado de São Paulo, one of Brazil’s most prominent newspapers, recently praised Samba New York! as “the most famous and active ‘school of samba’ in [New York] City” (August 25, 2009).

Inspired by the famous escola de samba parade associations of Rio de Janeiro, Samba New York’s professional performance company brings the joy and energy of Brazilian Carnaval to events of all kinds, public and private. We have performed at many of NYC’s most prestigious venues — from the Nokia Theatre in Times Square to Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater — and can put together the optimal show for your next event!

Our regular, Friday evening Open Rehearsal at Chelsea Studios in Manhattan features a samba dance practice session led by top instructor Danielle Lima, accompanied by the exhilarating live drumming of our Bateria. This event is a unique opportunity to experience the vibrant Rio Carnaval culture in the heart of New York City. Dedicated participants may be eligible to perform with Samba New York! in the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade and other events.

But Samba New York! doesn’t stop there! We also offer a cultural immersion trip to Rio de Janeiro during Carnaval, guided by Samba New York’s founder and Director, Philip Galinsky, Ph.D., who has over 15 years of experience as an ethnomusicologist and percussionist in Brazil.

Percussionist and ethnomusicologist Philip Galinsky is the founder and Director of Samba New York! He holds a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from Wesleyan University and has been conducting music research in Brazil for over 15 years, having published pioneering work on both the pagode samba and mangue beat movements. His doctoral dissertation, Maracatu Atômico, was selected for publication in Routledge’s Outstanding Dissertations series. He has held teaching positions at Wesleyan University, UC Davis, and Hampshire College. As a percussionist, he has performed in the Rio Carnaval with such renowned samba schools as Mocidade, Salgueiro, and Imperatriz. He has also performed throughout the US, including at New York’s Radio City Music Hall and the Rainbow Room, Jazz Fest in New Orleans, and the San Francisco Carnaval. He has held residencies in Brazilian percussion at the University of Michigan, Frederick Douglass Academy in New York City, and the Triple Hill Music Festival in Mount Vernon, NY. In addition, he has given workshops in samba at numerous institutions, including New York University, City University of New York Graduate Center, Stony Brook University, University of Southern Maine, Drummers Collective, and Bank Street School. He is currently the Percussion Instructor at Manhattan’s Primary School 234, where he teaches samba and various other Brazilian styles to 4th and 5th graders. A leading authority in the US on Brazilian music, he is available as an educator and specialist in Brazilian percussion for workshops, lecture-demonstrations, private instruction, and performances.